Reju and Nouvelles Fibres Textiles Collaborate to Create a Circular Textile Waste Ecosystem in France
Reju and Nouvelles Fibres Textiles: Pioneering Circular Textile Waste Solutions in France
In a remarkable step towards sustainable textile practices, Reju™, an innovative company focused on transforming textile waste, has teamed up with Nouvelles Fibres Textiles (NFT), a French firm specializing in end-of-life textile processing. This collaboration aims to revolutionize the circular economy surrounding textile waste management in France.
Under this partnership, NFT will supply Reju with secondary raw materials derived from both used and unused textile waste, enabling the subsequent production of Reju Polyester™, an environmentally friendly recycled polyester. This initiative is pivotal in expanding the infrastructure necessary for the collection and processing of textile waste originating from both post-consumer and post-industrial sources.
Strengthening Textile Waste Collection and Processing
Reju and NFT are committed to developing an expansive system that not only collects but also processes garment and textile waste. This collaboration ensures transparency throughout the supply chain, guaranteeing 100% traceability of the recycled materials involved. By addressing the urgent need for sustainable waste management practices, these companies are paving the way for a more responsible textile industry.
With an ambitious vision, Reju is currently establishing a large-scale infrastructure aimed at the regeneration of textile waste, starting with polyester. The company anticipates that its end product, Reju Polyester™, will have a 50% lower carbon footprint compared to virgin polyester and will be capable of undergoing multiple regeneration processes.
Exciting developments are underway at Reju's first demonstration facility, the Regeneration Hub Zero in Frankfurt, Germany, where operations are set to commence in 2025 with the production of Reju PET. The materials provided by NFT will play a crucial role in the processing routines of this hub and future recycling centers that Reju plans to establish across Europe.
NFT's Groundbreaking Textile Recycling Facility
As part of its commitment to innovation, NFT recently launched a unique semi-industrial pilot facility and research center for textile recycling. This facility employs advanced sorting technologies from Pellenc ST, combined with shredding lines from Andritz, allowing for the efficient processing of large volumes of post-consumer and post-industrial textile waste. By removing hard components from the waste, NFT transforms these materials into high-quality industrial fibers that can be used in cutting-edge recycling technologies.
As a result of its innovative practices, NFT supplies secondary raw materials to a variety of industries, including nonwoven textiles, insulation, composites, plastics, and more. The collaborative synergy between Reju and NFT exemplifies how innovation and teamwork can significantly accelerate the transition into a circular textile ecosystem.
A Shared Vision for Sustainable Textile Management
“We are leveraging innovation and cooperation to drive the transition towards a circular textile ecosystem,” stated Patrik Frisk, CEO of Reju. This partnership underscores a shared commitment to tackling the issue of textile waste and devising new ways to utilize resources available in local supply chains. With the European Union mandating textile waste collection starting in 2025, scalable systems and partnerships like this will be essential in processing collected materials and reducing landfill disposal and incineration.
Eric Boël and Etienne Wiroth, co-directors of NFT, emphasized their readiness to collaborate with professionals needing solutions for textile recycling. They note, “Our partnerships facilitate a transformative shift towards a localized, lower-carbon, and more cooperative textile industry.”
This collaboration has the potential to reshape how industries approach resource utilization, sustainability, and waste management while fostering a culture of accountability and environmental responsibility in textile production.
Conclusion
On the road to a sustainable future, the collaboration between Reju and Nouvelles Fibres Textiles stands as a model for other industries to emulate. As they build the necessary technology and infrastructure for recycling and repurposing materials, they are not just addressing the immediate concerns of textile waste but also advocating for an eco-conscious movement within the larger textile sector.